Abstract:

Alienation, a characteristic of modern society, is also reflected in modern literature. In this dissertation, alienation of the hero in the modern German short story is examined. Four categories of alienation are established: existential, institutional, technological and ideological. Existential alienation occurs when the hero is alienated from his existence as a human being. With institutional alienation various institutions such as marriage, school and government are portrayed as causes. These institutions force the hero to play a certain role in this process he denies his own identity and is eventually alienated from himself and from society. Technological alienation occurs when the hero is alienated from his humanity by modern technology: by industrialization and automation. Ideological alienation occurs when the hero is alienated as a result of certain ideologies. In this dissertation it has been established that there is a definite link between alienation and identity: when the hero does not succeed in retaining his identity or asserting himself in society, he is alienated from himself and from society. There is also a link between communication and alienation. Alienation is often accompanied by no or inadequate communication. Furthermore, it is evident that the alienated hero displays certain characteristic behaviour. He either falls into a passive state of despair, which can lead to self-destroying acts, or withdraws for society and becomes an outsider.